Image showing mascots in elephant and pig costumes waving to children at the Santa Margarita Library

County Libraries Help Prepare Kids for Kindergarten

Author: Erica Thatcher
Date: 7/24/2024 1:02 PM

All library locations offer learning opportunities for young children

San Luis Obispo County, CA  Back-to-school is right around the corner, and County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries wants to remind Central Coast families that the library can help children get ready for kindergarten.

The library offers learning opportunities for young children at story times and bilingual story times. Children and caregivers gather to listen to stories, to sing songs, and to socialize. For kids who don’t attend preschool, story time offers a chance to build these skills.

It’s also a chance for caregivers to pick up tips and tricks for reading with a child at home. “Our librarians have excellent techniques for sharing books. You’ll notice they’re not just reading; they’re talking about pictures, pointing out letters, colors, numbers, and shapes—all kindergarten concepts,” said Erica Thatcher, librarian for County of SLO Public Libraries. “We like to share books with rhymes and repetition that help beginning reading skills.”

The library has thousands of picture books, including books about the first day of school, manners, teamwork, and cleaning up. “We invite families to take as many books as they can carry,” said Thatcher. "Borrowing instead of buying saves money, too.”

The library’s literacy program, The Literacy Connection, offers support to parents and caregivers who want to improve their reading skills or improve their English skills to support their child’s learning. “When families learn together, they thrive together,” said Michelle Haddad, Literacy Coordinator for the Library.

Other services at the libraries that help families get ready for kindergarten include read-together kits, board games, and early learning activities that often include glue, scissors, and other materials that help develop motor skills.

All library services are free. For more information about storytimes, childrens’ activities, locations and hours, visit SLOLibrary.org or contact any of the library’s 14 locations. For adult and family literacy information, visit SLOLibrary.org/TLC.